Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon used his keynote at the annual Computex event in Taiwan to stake the company’s claim in the next phase of AI, arguing the technology will reshape demand for compute across devices, networks and data centres.

Amon described 2026 as the “year of the agent”, stating AI is moving from prompt-based interactions to autonomous systems capable of planning, reasoning and acting across smartphones, PCs, cars, robots and industrial equipment.

“Agents are not coming in the future. They’re already here,” he said, adding the shift is “changing a lot of the compute” and could generate “a lot of demand for new classes of devices and computing”, creating “one of the largest” upgrade cycles the industry has seen.

Amon said the smartphone will no longer sit alone at the nexus of the digital ecosystem. “Agents become the centre of your digital experience,” he stated, adding devices will increasingly become “endpoints for agents”.

Compute continuum
To this end, the executive laid out Qualcomm’s ambition to support the AI infrastructure transition. Amon pointed to the need for CPUs, GPUs, NPUs and connectivity designed to support AI workloads both on devices and in the cloud, stating the company can help scale AI compute from “sub-2 milliwatts” in devices such as earbuds to kilowatt-level systems in data centres.

He also stressed the engineering challenge around battery life and latency, noting devices must be able to support complex planning, reasoning and coordination. “I cannot emphasise enough the importance of power,” he said.

In addition, Amon framed 6G as a key part of the future AI architecture, noting it is the first wireless generation designed as an AI-native network connecting distributed, hybrid intelligence across devices and data centres.

During the event, the chief also unveiled Dragonfly, Qualcomm’s new data centre brand aimed at inference workloads. He said Qualcomm is already working with hyperscalers and global partners on deployments, adding the fresh brand will allow its portfolio to span “every single tier of the compute continuum”.

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UK operator Virgin Media O2 is set to switch on O2 Satellite for iPhones tomorrow (28 May), widening access to the direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity service it launched earlier this year.

Subscribers to the offering with compatible devices gain access to satellite connectivity when no mobile coverage is available. It enables messaging and data across a range of apps, including Messages, Apple Maps, WhatsApp, Messenger, X and location services.

VMO2 noted adding iPhone support would provide the means for millions of users in rural, coastal and remote parts of the UK to connect where traditional mobile coverage can be limited or unavailable.

It added availability of satellite connectivity could boost network resilience by helping customers stay connected during outages or natural disasters.

Compatible models are the iPhone 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 ranges as well as the iPhone Air. O2 Satellite is available as a £3 per month add-on for most contract customers, though is included at no extra cost for those on its Ultimate Plan.

Chris Bournes, commercial director at VMO2, said “expanding the service to iPhone users is a major step forward in making this new, groundbreaking technology accessible to more customers”.

VMO2 launched its O2 Satellite service in February 2026 using Starlink infrastructure in what it positioned as the first D2D satellite mobile data service to go live in Europe. The operator noted the technology has lifted its UK landmass coverage to 95%.

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Broadcom and Samsung Electronics launched what they claim is the first integrated 5G and Wi-Fi 8 fixed wireless access (FWA) platform, a milestone for the home broadband industry.

The platform uses Broadcom’s BCM6776 Wi-Fi 8 SoC and Samsung’s B1320 5G modem in a reference design for mass-market equipment which is compatible with 3GPP Release-17 and the emerging Wi-Fi 8 IEEE 802.11bn standard. 

It is also compatible with new radio and narrowband NTN bands, giving operators a degree of connectivity resilience which the companies noted was previously out of reach for consumer-grade hardware.

Samsung’s B1320 is a 5nm chipset capable of delivering 5G data rates of 3.4Gb/s in the downlink and 1.2Gb/s up.

Broadcom’s BCM6776 is a tri-band, single-chip product covering 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz simultaneously, with a quad-core Arm network processor and integrated multi-gigabit physical layer.

The design cuts active power consumption by 50% compared with Broadcom’s previous generation.

Broadcom asserted the combination of the 5G modem and Wi-Fi 8 radio into a tightly integrated reference platform can lower OEMs’ bill-of-materials and simplify board design.

It stated Humax Networks and WNC are already producing next-generation gateways using the platform and global operator trials are underway.

Joonsuk Kim, EVP and head of CP development at Samsung Electronics, framed the platform around accessibility, describing it as a tool provide high-quality connectivity “across a wide range of environments”.

Vijay Nagarajan, VP of Broadcom’s marketing, wireless and broadband communications division, pointed to the coordinated performance between 5G and Wi-Fi 8 as a differentiator for operators trying to guarantee consistent coverage in “every corner of the home”.

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American Airlines detailed a plan to install Starlink satellite internet service across more than 500 narrowbody aircraft starting in early 2027.

The deal will cover much of its Airbus domestic and short-haul international aeroplanes including A321neo and A321XLR aircraft entering the fleet.

Starlink’s Aero Terminal delivers up to 1Gb/s per antenna, enabling streaming, gaming and real-time collaboration tools for passengers.

American Airlines chief customer officer Heather Garboden said the partnership is as much about reliability and low latency as raw speed, promising passengers an at-home level of Wi-Fi connectivity.

Jason Fritch, VP of Starlink enterprise sales at SpaceX, said the service would deliver a fully connected experience for passengers and crew, “making every flight smoother and more enjoyable”.

The partnership arrives as Starlink rival Amazon LEO is building its own airline momentum. JetBlue became the first carrier to commit to the service in September 2025, with a rollout planned to start in 2027.

Earlier this year, Delta Air Lines followed with a multi-year agreement to equip 500 aircraft with Amazon Leo starting in 2028

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